In 1987, CFM became involved in a disaster relief work which involved the feeding of several hundred people for several weeks.  This work was necessary because a tornado had destroyed dozens of homes and greatly damaged the Glade-Myrick-Powers areas of Jones County.  The food we prepared was trucked to the affected areas and served to families clearing/rebuilding and to work crews which had arrived from other places.

In 1999, monies were set aside by CFM for the purpose of establishing a special foreign missions project.  This was made possible through a one-time, generous contribution.  Martin and Karen Arroyo are being funded by CFM to set up a feeding (and evangelism) ministry in Oaxaca, Mexico (southeast of Mexico City) for extremely poor children.

We are praying and waiting to see what else the Lord may have for CFM to do as we seek His plans for our future.

Since 1991 Martin and Karen Arroyo have served together as missionaries in the country of Mexico.  For the first nine years they worked on garbage dumps in Mexico City and since the year 2000 they have been in the southern state of Oaxaca working with Mixtec Indians.

     Feeding hungry children and adults has always been a big part of what they do.  While in Mexico City they were helped by individuals and Rotary Clubs; however, since they began their ministry in Oaxaca they have been supported in their feeding programs by the Christian Food Mission of Laurel, Mississippi.

      Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca is a valley located amongst high mountains and is one of Mexico´s poorest regions.  Illiteracy, malnutrition, alcoholism, superstition, witchcraft, violence, and government corruption are the chains that have held these people in spiritual bondage for generations.  The Mixtecs at one time (before Spanish conquest) were a great nation, known for their intelligence and creativity.  Having sold their souls to pagan, occult deities, these once proud and powerful people are now known as some of the poorest and most difficult peoples of Mexico to evangelize.

     These pressing needs have opened the doors for us to share the light of Christ through helps offered to widows, elderly, physically enabled, single mothers, and others living in extreme poverty through food baskets, building projects, medical teams, clothing distribution, etc.  With the support of the Christian Food Mission we are able to feed hungry folks who come to seek medical care at the only hospital in this rural area twice a week.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays children who are being monitored for malnutrition, pregnant mothers, and others with diverse medical needs come for their medical care and are served a nutritious, warm meal as they wait.  Many have left their mountain homes in the wee hours of the morning and will have to wait many hours before seeing a doctor.  These meals are a huge blessing with approximately 100 to 150 people served each time.  Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays the meals are taken to more remote villages with the purpose of helping in the fight with malnutrition amongst the many children.  Approximately 140 children and mothers receive these meals as well as a spiritual meal presented through song, Bible stories, and play time.  Thanks to these meals many lives have been touched with the Gospel and others have now become citizens of the Kingdom of God.

     In September of 2002 the Arroyos had the privilege to begin a church. “Centro Crisitano Familiar Gracia Abundante”  began to meet with just a few in attendance. Now, however, through God´s grace each Sunday 60 to 70 faithful folks gather together to worship through song and the preaching of the Word.  “Gracia Abundante” has had the opportunity to reach out through ministries for youth, women, and marriages.  Marriage counselling has been an area where the Arroyos have seen tremendous doors of opportunity.  Many, many hurting men and women have come seeking healing for their broken marriages and have found even greater healing for their souls through the Gospel of Grace.    

     Each day the Arroyos find greater and more varied ways for sharing the Kingdom, mainly through careful teaching of the Word and trying to show the compassionate hands of Jesus stretched out to the poor and needy.  They are thankful to be saved by grace through faith alone and serve their Lord with hearts full of gratitude and joy for what He has done.  They want to be faithful to walk in those “good works, which God prepared in advance” (Eph.2:10) and trust Him to be their wisdom, strength, and hope to carry out the immense task of sharing Christ to the Mixtec community of Juxtlahuaca.